2012 UCI WOrld Cup Round 1 Pietermaritzburg
Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 10:37AM With a new Series sponsor, and a new television partner in the form of Red Bull Media House, it is only fitting that the 2012 RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano opens with totally redesigned courses in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, this coming weekend. Both the Olympic cross-country and Downhill disciplines will be represented in Pietermaritzburg, and it will be the first chance this year to see all of the top international stars gathered in one place.
Now in it's third year on the World Cup circuit, Pietermaritzburg is even more critical than ever this year, because the event is a test run for the World Championships to be held here next year. It is also the start of the final crucial Olympic qualifying period for the London Olympic Games, with riders vying to gain important ranking points that will determine how many starting spots each nation will receive for the men's and women's cross-country races at the Games.
Pietermaritzburg has stepped up to the challenge, with courses that riders are saying are more physically demanding than ever. In the women's cross-country, look for 2011 World Cup champion Julie Bresset (BH-SR Suntour-Peisey Vallandry) and reigning world champion Catharine Pendrel (Luna) to resume the battle that resulted in one of the closest finishes in history for the World Cup title last season. Others to watch include Maja Wloszczowska (CC Polkowice) and Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon). Another name to keep an eye on is Willow Koerber Rockwell (Trek World Racing), a top rider returning to competition ten weeks after giving birth to her daughter.
In the men's field, the big question is whether Jaroslav Kulhavy (Specialized) can repeat his incredible performance of last year, when he won five World Cups, the World Cup title and became the world champion. After finishing second to Kulhavy multiple times last year, the defending Pietermaritzburg champion, Nino Schurter (Scott-Swisspower) hopes to break that streak, as does Julien Absalon (Orbea).
After the cross-country, attention turns to the Downhill on Sunday. Tracy Moseley, the defending women's champion in Pietermaritzburg and 2011 World Cup champion, is the biggest name missing from the start list, but the 2011 World Cup runner up, Floriane Pugin (Scott 11), leads a strong field that includes Myriam Nicole (Commencal/Riding Addiction), Sabrina Jonnier (Labyrinth Shimano) and world champion Emmeline Ragot.
For the men, Aaron Gwin (Trek World Racing) is the defending Pietermaritzburg winner, and the World Cup champion, after dominating last season. However, he will go up against hometown favourite Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate), who won here in 2010, and finished second last year. Also sure to be in the mix are Gee Atherton (GT Factory) and world champion Danny Hart (Giant Factory).
E Thirteen Riders Poised To Dominate MTB Racing In 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 2:07PM E*thirteen and the Hive design and manufacture class-leading wheels, pedals, cranksets, chainrings, bottom brackets, drivetrain protection, and chain retention products for discerning cyclists worldwide.
2012 E13 Riders And Teams
- Jared Graves
- Sam Hill
- Troy Brosnan
- Wade Simmons
- Geoff Gulevich
- Jarrett Moore
- Wink Grant
- Gee Atherton
- Dan Atherton
- Rachel Atherton
- Marc Beaumont
- Ryan Leech
- Jay Hoots
- Mislav Mironovic
- Darcy Turenne
- Andrew Watson
- Catherine Vipond
- Nick Gedded
- Sam Dueck
- Ludovic May
- Jill Kitner
- Bryn Atkinson
- Steve Smith
- Nick Beer
- Gianluca Vernassa
- Nicolas Vouilloz
- Sam Blenkinsop
- Cameron Cole
- Patrick Thome
- Loïc Bruni
- Graham Agassiz
- Helen Wyman
- Barry Wicks
- Paul Basagoitia
- Matt Slaven
- Kris Sneddon
- Spencer Paxson
- Sean Babcock
- Karim Amour
- Mitch Delfs
- Connor Fearon
- Grant Fielder
- Cory Wallace
- Alex Stock
- Antoine Bizet
- Fabien Cousinié
- Mick Hannah
- Tracey Hannah
- Tim Bentley
- Guillaume Cauvin
- Brandon Fairclough
- Romain Paulhan
- Floriane Pugin
- Emilie Siegenthaler
- Noel Niederberger
- Adrian Weiss
- Mirco Weiss
- Myriam Nicole
- Thibaut Ruffin
- Gaetan Ruffin
- Kovarik Racing
- Chris Kovarik
- Claire Buchar
- Steve Wentz
- Phil Wheeler
- Mihai Moga
- Matt Thomson
- Chris Shewmake
- Doug Ewer
- Evan Powell
- Eric Carter
- Waylon Smith
- Adam Brayton
- Matej Charvat
- Will Curtis
- Max Houtzager
- Colby Pastore
- Manuel Ducci
- James McKnight
- Simone Lanteri
- Josef Murachelli
- Alessandro Seddaiu
- Valentina Macheda
- Wyn Master
- Carlo Caire
- Pietro Caire
- Justyn Norek
- Loris Revelli
- Paolo Rubino
- Luca Guglielmucci
- Tommaso Francardo
- Ryan Condrochoff
- Aaron Bradford
- Marshall Eames
- Forrest Arrakawa
- Scott Papola
- Josh Bryceland
- Ben Furbee
- Nate Furbee
- Cam McCaul
- Tibor Simai
- Andrew Taylor
- Steve Peat
- George Ryan
- Kiran McKinnion
- Jan Vacek
- Tracey Moseley
- Katrina Strand
- Kenny Burt
- Michael Broderick
- Mary McConneloug
- Neal Kindree
- Robert Jauch
- André Wagenknecht
- Thomas Schmidt
- Angie Hohenwarter
- Amir Kabbani
- Markus Klausmann
- Nino Antic
- Dave Goris
- Sandra Rübesam
- Jan Berkenkopf
- Wolfram Kurschat
- Jasper Jauch
- Harald Philipp
- Alex Balaud
- Alex Cure
- Olivier Giordanengo
- Fouad Gourirane
- Morgane Jonnier
- Maurian Marney
2012 UCI World Cup Announces Red Bull As Official Media Partner
Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 12:04PM The International Cycling Union (UCI) is delighted to confirm that the Red Bull Media House GmbH (RBMH) is the new official media partner of the RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano.
Under this new partnership, RBMH will provide media services including HD TV production, webcasting and content syndication. Live streaming of all the World Cup Cross-country Olympic, Cross- country Eliminator and Downhill races will be featured onwww.redbull.com/bike and www.redbull.tv. The UCI and RBMH will collaborate closely to ensure that coverage of these events will be more dynamic, innovative and viewer-friendly, providing fans with unforgettable images of racing action.
'WITH RBMH ON BOARD, WE CAN BE SURE THAT TOP QUALITY IMAGES OF THIS SERIES CAN REACH FANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD' – PAT MCQUAID, UCI PRESIDENT
RBMH will produce the official international live signal as well as highlight programmes that the UCI will provide to TV channels on all continents. Overall TV production will be improved with High Definition images and an increased number of cameras at events.
RBMH, which replaces Freecaster.tv as exclusive live streaming partner, will also hold worldwide non-exclusive internet rights to the UCI BMX World Championships as well as selected media rights in certain territories for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
UCI President Mr Pat McQuaid welcomes the latest partner for the new-look mountain bike series: “The RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano has been given a boost for 2012, and with RBMH on board, we can be sure that top quality images of this series can reach fans throughout the world. This exciting World Cup series deserves innovative media coverage of the highest standard. With RBMH we have found the perfect solution. This new partnership can only serve to further develop our leading mountain bike series.”2012 Devinci Global Racing UCI Roster Announced
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 5:59PM 
2012 UCI World Cup team | CHICOUTIMI, CANADA—Devinci Global Racing is proud to announce its 2012 UCI World Cup roster. The DGR squad features a mix of podium chargers and young standouts; paired with experienced management and top mechanical support.
Leading DGR is 22-year-old Canadian, Steve Smith. In 2011, Smith showed his World Cup dominance, never finishing outside the top ten. In addition, he captured multiple World Cup podiums, a Canadian Open gold medal, and the US Open silver medal.
Smith says, “I’m excited to be working with Devinci again in 2012, and I’m looking forward to building on last season’s momentum. Devinci has stepped things up, growing the program and adding great riders. It should be an amazing year.”
Joining Smith is five-time Swiss National Champion, Nick Beer. The 25-year-old brings a string of strong results to the team, including a 2009 European Championship gold medal and multiple World Cup top ten and podium finishes.
“I’ve never stopped working toward being one of the top riders in the world and teaming with DGR will allow me to go to the next level and meet these goals,” Beer says.
New Zealand’s George Brannigan returns to the roster for a second season. Earlier this year Brannigan bagged two wins at the NZ National Series, in addition to clinching a silver medal at the star-studded National Championships. Rounding out the program is first-year junior Gianluca Vernassa of Itlay. In 2011 Gianluca demonstrated massive potential winning almost every race he entered, while clocking fast times and consistently keeping fellow elite riders on edge. Look for Vernassa to contend in the junior ranks, while building a strong resume in the sport.
“We’ve assembled a standout lineup under the DGR banner—riders, co-sponsors, support staff,” says Gabe Fox, Devinci MTB Marketing Manager. “It’s a foundation for success and I envision seeing our program posting outstanding results this year.”
The 2012 season kicks off in two weeks at Pietermaritztburg, South Africa, home of the 2013 World Championships. DGR’s event focus includes the UCI World Cup, Crankworx Whistler, and other select European and North American events.
“I’m excited to be making this continued commitment to World Cup racing, and having Steve Smith lead the program is the perfect fit,” says Devinci President, Felix Gauthier. “Smith shares many of Devinci’s core values and I’m looking forward to the season.”
“Steve Smith exemplifies Sram’s ongoing commitment to support the most talented professional gravity athletes in the World. As part of Sram’s exclusive Black Box program we are confident Steve will have the necessary equipment to build on last seasons outstanding results. We’re also really proud to be partnered up with Devinci who share the same love for racing and winning as we do.” -John Dawson Sram MTB Sponsorship Manager
Devinci Global Racing is supported by: Cycles Devinci, SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ, Easton Wheels, Schwalbe, E-Thirteen, ODI and Fox Head Clothing.
Cycles Devinci is a Canadian bicycle manufacturer based in Chicoutimi, Canada. It has led the industry by way of manufacturing expertise and product development since its inception in 1987. Cycles Devinci continues to forge ahead with suspension guru Dave Weagle’s patented Split Pivot suspension platform. Combined with the company’s Axis Technologies, Devinci is set on a path for domination. For more details on Devinci and DGR, visit devinci.com
Marzocchi Supports The 2012 MS Mondraker Team
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 7:12AM 
Marzocchi is proud to announce their support of the MS Mondraker team for the 2012 season. The team’s DH athletes have been able to climb to the top of the world ranking list and are no strangers to the podiums of UCI World Cups and UCI World Championships. Team MS Mondraker will be riding our DH flagship, the 888 RC3 EVO TITANIUM and Roco RC World Cup rear suspension.
The team delivered a particularly impressive performance at the World Championships in Champery (SUI) last year. Emmeline Ragot climbed to the top of the podium at the most important event in the mountain bike world and now bears the title of World Champion. Damien Spagnolo only barely missed first place and is currently vice World Champion. At other races, the MS Mondraker team was definitely a force to be reckoned with as well: Brook MacDonald took three podium spots in the UCI World Cup circuit and Markus Pekoll is the crowned king of the iXS European DH cup.
“Partnering up with the MS MOndraker Downhill team is a great start into the new mountain bike season. We’ve had a great 2011 season andare ready to begin the 2012 season at full force. We feel that the MS Mondraker team truly represents that spirit and are excited to have them on board”, says Simone Bassi of Tenneco Marzocchi.
Currently, the MS Mondraker team are in New Zealand conducting extensive testing of Marzocchi suspension products. Markus Stoeckl, team manager of the MS Mondraker team asserts: “We are really looking forward to the cooperation with Marzocchi. It is one of the few suspension systems that is perfect straight out of the box so we are thrilled that these are the products we get to use. From the start, working with Marzocchi couldn’t have been easier; they really listen to our input and are always working on tweaking their products to perfection. Especially on our suspension of choice, the 888 RC3 Evo Titanium and Roco RC World Cup.”
Speaking of the 888 RC3 Evo Ti; listening closely to their pro athletes in the past has allowed them to develop a fork that is the lightest coil DH fork on the market, only barely heavier than its air equivalent. At the same time, it offers all the advantages of a coil: stability, reliability and durability and no stress. Combined with a rear shock from the Roco series that offers the perfect setting for every terrain and makes your back wheel stick to the ground like glue, our gravity suspension systems will always create the best riding experience for you when gravity calls!
The MS Mondraker athletes’ best results summarized:
Brook MacDonald
3 podiums at UCI World Cup races 2011
Damien Spagnolo
Vice Champion at the 2011 World Championships in Champery (SUI)
Emmeline Ragot
World Champion at the 2011 World Championships in Champery (SUI)
Markus Pekoll
Campeón de la European IXS Cup2011
